A highly trained security operative attached to the president’s detail has now turned to crushing stones at a quarry in order to sustain his drinking after he became an alcohol addict.

Nicholas Langat, 28, a Recce Squad officer attached to Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta’s security detail – was suspended in 2016 after he failed to report back on duty in time when he went to his village to attend to his wife who was suffering from throat cancer. She died the same year.

The officer, who was already suffering depression due to the death of his wife who left behind a two-year-old daughter, made his only companion since his aged parents could not understand what he was going through. He ended up being an addict.

According to Mr Langat, he was only given a suspension letter which was sent to Ainamoi Police Station in Kericho County, Kenya, which is rural home. The suspension meant that was not dismissed and that he remained a police officer and could therefore not be employed anywhere else.

He said after taking alcohol for two years, he became an addict and now had to do menial odd jobs to sustain his drinking habit.

He did jobs like digging pit latrines and crashing stones at the quarry to cater for his drinking and also look after his daughter and his aged parents.

Speaking to the Nation, Mr Langat said alcohol has destroyed his life and is now willing to live a normal life and possibly get back his job.

“I have gone through hell due to drinking and I feel that I’m tired of this life. I would love to go back to my normal life and get back my job if possible,” he told the Nation.

Mr Langat told the Nation that he had undergone rigorous training as a Recce Squad officer.

Among the skills he acquired included intelligence gathering, protection of VVIPs, recognition and destruction of explosives and guarding vital security installations.